India, Aug. 10 -- The Maharashtra government has granted a fresh licence to the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) to conduct horse-racing activities during the ongoing season, spanning July 1 till December 31, while significantly tightening regulatory oversight on betting operations, online wagering, club governance and financial reporting.

The licence permits the RWITC to conduct horse-racing activities at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai and the Pune Race Course, with the number of race days capped at 25, barring charity race days. Proposals for additional race days would require prior government approval and payment of the prescribed additional licence fee, the six-page order issued under the Maharashtra Race Course Licensing A...